How to tie a Pearly Black Hopper

There are countless terrestrial patterns but few are better and more versatile than a Black Hopper, which can also be tied with a foam post to create a Popper Hopper that’s deadly when retrieved.

Material list for the Pearly Black Hopper

Hook: Size 10-12 Fulling Mill All-purpose
Thread: Black 8/0  Rib: Pearly tinsel
Body: Black seal’s fur and SLF, 50:50
Legs: Dyed black cock pheasant tail fibres, knotted  Hackle: Black cock

Step 1. Fix the hook in the vice and run the thread down to the bend in close turns. At which point, catch in a length of medium-width pearl tinsel.

Step 2. Apply a pinch of black fur to the tying thread and dub it on to form a thin rope. Wind dubbed fur along the hook in touching turns.

Step 3. Once three-quarters of the hook shank has been covered and a thin body formed, apply the pearl tinsel in open, evenly spaced turns.

Step 4. Secure the loose end of tinsel and remove the excess. Knot three fibres of black cock pheasant tail and fix them so that they trail along the body.

Step 5. Create another three legs by repeating the process and catch them in on the other side of the hook. Secure the fibres with thread and remove the excess.

Step 6. Prepare a dyed black cock hackle by stripping away the fibres at its base to leave a stub of bare hackle-stem. Catch in the hackle by its stem.

Step 7. Take hold of the hackle-tip, using hackle pliers. Working towards the eye, apply three full turns of the hackle.

Step 8. Secure the hackle-tip with thread and remove the excess. Complete by casting off the thread with a whip finish.